Sprint speed is related to blood parasites, but not to ectoparasites, in an insular population of lacertid lizards

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Garrido ◽  
V. Pérez-Mellado
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Sprint Speed ◽  
Lower Blood ◽  
Podarcis Lilfordi ◽  
Insular Population

Parasites are able to negatively affect the locomotor performance of their hosts, and consequently, their biological fitness. In this study, we examine the relationship between parasitism and burst speed in an insular population of Lilford’s Wall Lizard (Podarcis lilfordi (Günther, 1874)). Podarcis lilfordi is normally infected with haemogregarine blood parasites and mites in our study location, Aire Island (Balearic Islands, Spain). Unlike the results from other studies on lizards, we found a significant negative correlation between intensity of infection by haemogregarines and burst speed. Body condition is also significantly related to burst speed. Thus, lizards with a lower blood parasite load and better body condition show a faster sprint speed. Intensity of infection by haemoparasites shows a lack of correlation with both body condition and mite load. Our results are compared with those from other lizard species living in different habitats. We discuss the influence of insular environmental conditions on locomotor performances, such as low predation pressure, lack of competitors, and high lizard densities.

Low-level parasitic worm burdens may reduce body condition in free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Parasitology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. IRVINE ◽  
H. CORBISHLEY ◽  
J. G. PILKINGTON ◽  
S. D. ALBON
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Kidney Fat Index ◽  
Abundant Genus

Regulation of ungulate populations by parasites relies on establishing a density-dependent relationship between infection and vital demographic rates which may act through the effect of parasites on body condition. We examine evidence for parasite impacts in 285 red deer (Cervus elaphus) harvested during 1991 and 1992 on the Isle of Rum. In the abomasa, prevalence of nematodes was 100% and the most abundant genus observed were Ostertagia species, however, mean intensity of infection was low (less than 1000) relative to other studies. Additional species, also present in low numbers, included Nematodirus spp., Capillaria spp., Cooperia spp., Monieza expanza, Oesophagostomum venulosum and Trichuris ovis. Lungworm (Dictyocaulus spp.) and tissue worm (Elaphostronygylus cervi) larvae were also observed in faecal samples. There was no evidence for acquired immunity to abomasal nematodes. Despite low levels of infection, both adult male and female deer showed significant negative correlation between indices of condition (kidney fat index, dressed carcass weight and larder weight) and intensity of Ostertagia spp. infection. However, there was no evidence that pregnancy rate in females was related to intensity of infection. For calves, there was no relationship between body condition and intensity of infection. The apparent subclinical effects of low-level parasite infection on red deer performance could alternatively be due to animals in poorer nutritional state being more susceptible to infection. Either way the results suggest that further studies of wild populations are justified, in particular where high local host densities exist or alternative ungulate hosts are present, and, where experimental treatments are tractable.

scholarly journals Blood parasites in noddies and boobies from Brazilian offshore islands – differences between species and influence of nesting habitat

Parasitology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 141 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
PETRA QUILLFELDT ◽  
JAVIER MARTÍNEZ ◽  
LEANDRO BUGONI ◽  
PATRÍCIA L. MANCINI ◽  
SANTIAGO MERINO
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
The Body ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Molecular Screening ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Sula Leucogaster ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Ground Nesting

SUMMARYSeabirds are often free from blood parasites, and a recent review suggested that phylogenetic, ecological and life-history parameters can determine the prevalence of blood parasites in seabirds. However, there is a lack of data available from many seabird groups, and a larger database is needed to understand prevalence patterns of blood parasites. We used a molecular screening approach to detect parasites of the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Babesia in five species of two genera of seabirds that breed on Atlantic Ocean islands off Brazil. The observed patterns differed between the two bird genera. Like other Laridae, brown noddy, Anous stolidus adults were infected with Haemoproteus with low prevalence. Masked boobies, Sula dactylatra and brown boobies, Sula leucogaster were infected with Babesia. Of the latter, mainly juveniles were infected. In all species, intensity of infection (i.e. number of infected erythrocytes) was so low that parasites remained undetected in blood smears. This may explain the absence of major effects on the body condition of birds, although infected juvenile masked boobies were lighter than juveniles that were not infected with Babesia. Two tree-nesting species; black noddy, Anous minutus and red-footed booby, Sula sula did not have blood parasites, suggesting that tree-nesting may reduce the exposure to arthropod vectors compared with ground nesting in these species.

Habitat type influences parasite load in Algerian Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) lizards

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Carbayo ◽  
J. Martín ◽  
E. Civantos
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Type ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Oak Forest ◽  
Population Differences ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
Psammodromus Algirus ◽  
Host Parasite

Understanding how habitat type and deterioration may affect parasitism is important in assessing the effects of human-induced environmental change on host–parasite dynamics. In this study, we examined inter-population differences in parasite load in the Mediterranean lizard Psammodromus algirus (Linnaeus, 1758). We analyzed prevalence and intensity of infection by blood parasites and ectoparasites in two populations separated by a 400 m elevational gradient and with different habitat types that also differed in the degree of human alteration. We also compared data obtained from the same populations 10 years later to assess whether there have been temporary changes in parasite loads. Results showed that prevalence and intensity of blood parasites were higher in the deteriorated lowland holm oak forest population than in the well-preserved upland oak forest. In contrast, the prevalence and intensity of infection by Ixodes Latreille, 1795 ticks was higher in the upland oak forest population. Individuals from the lowland population were in poorer condition. Intensities of infection by blood parasites and ectoparasites have decreased significantly from 2005–2006 to 2016 in both populations. Our results suggest that inter-population differences in parasite load may be explained by differences in habitat characteristics. This study contributes to the identification of ecosystems and habitats that are most sensitive to prevalence and intensity of infection by parasites.

scholarly journals Invasive lizard has fewer parasites than native congener

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Tomé ◽  
D. James Harris ◽  
Ana Perera ◽  
Isabel Damas-Moreira
Keyword(s):  
18S Rrna ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Average Intensity ◽  
Invasive Potential ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Podarcis Siculus ◽  
Species Establishment ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Italian Wall Lizard

AbstractInvasive species can carry parasites to introduced locations, which may be key to understand the success or failure of species establishment and the invasive potential of introduced species. We compared the prevalence and infection levels of haemogregarine blood parasites between two sympatric congeneric species in Lisbon, Portugal: the invasive Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus) and the native green Iberian wall lizard (Podarcis virescens). The two species had significant differences in their infection levels: while P. virescens had high prevalence of infection (69.0%), only one individual of P. siculus was infected (3.7%), and while P. virescens exhibited an average intensity of 1.36%, the infected P. siculus individual had an infection rate of only 0.04%. Genetic analyses of 18S rRNA identified two different haemogregarine haplotypes in P. virescens. Due to the low levels of infection, we were not able to amplify parasite DNA from the infected P. siculus individual, although it was morphologically similar to those found in P. virescens. Since other studies also reported low levels of parasites in P. siculus, we hypothesize that this general lack of parasites could be one of the factors contributing to its competitive advantage over native lizard species and introduction success.

scholarly journals Resource‐use, body condition and parasite load metrics indicate contrasting health of stocked and native game fishes in Canadian prairie lakes

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-27
Author(s):  
Lushani Nanayakkara ◽  
Elizabeth R. Starks ◽  
Ryan N. Cooper ◽  
Sydney Chow ◽  
Peter R. Leavitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Canadian Prairie ◽  
Prairie Lakes

The yellow-legged gull as a predator of lizards in Balearic Islands

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentín Pérez-Mellado ◽  
Mario Garrido ◽  
Zaida Ortega ◽  
Ana Pérez-Cembranos ◽  
Abraham Mencía
Keyword(s):  
Balearic Islands ◽  
Predation Pressure ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Mediterranean Islands ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Podarcis Lilfordi ◽  
Larus Michahellis ◽  
Plasticine Models ◽  
Different Sources

Lizards and gulls cohabit in several Mediterranean islands. The yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis, was found to prey several vertebrate species. However, precise information about the interaction between gulls and other vertebrates, particularly with lizards is still scarce. The Balearic lizard, Podarcis lilfordi, shares several coastal islets with the yellow-legged gull. Using two different sources of information, we studied the interaction of both species in Colom Island (Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain). We studied the diet of the yellow-legged gull and learnt that the Balearic lizard is not a common prey of the yellow-legged gull. On the other hand, we studied the potential predation pressure of gulls on lizards, using plasticine models of lizards. We did two different experiments from which we can conclude that yellow-legged gulls rarely attack lizards and, consequently, cannot be considered a major threat for this endemic lizard species, at least in the population under study. Finally, we obtained evidence that plasticine models can only be employed with caution to assess predation pressure of opportunistic scavengers, much as gulls are. The majority of marks on models were not the consequence of true attacks by gulls, but the result of ground exploratory behaviour of gulls in search of any edible matter. Therefore, contrary to popular belief, in the case of the yellow-legged gull, the proportion of marked models would be an indication of ground-based wandering activity, rather than a result of its predation pressure on lizards.

scholarly journals Rodent helminths in fragmented Atlantic Forest areas in the western region of the state of Paraná

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danise Benatti ◽  
Luis Felipe Andrietti ◽  
José Flávio Cândido Júnior ◽  
Alexandre Vogliotti ◽  
Marcela Figueirêdo Duarte Moraes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Ecological Indicators ◽  
The Body ◽  
Western Region ◽  
Body Condition Index ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
New Host ◽  
The Western Region

Abstract Rodents are small mammals that can be parasitized by various helminths. This study aimed to identify and describe the ecological indicators of infection in rodents captured in fragments of the Atlantic Forest in the western region of Paraná State, Brazil. Sixty-eight specimens of five rodent species were collected, necropsied, and inspected in search of helminths. The parasites were stored in 70% ethanol, morphologically identified, and counted for calculation of infection indicators. Fourteen species of helminths and one species of Crustacea were recorded: ten in Akodon montensis, four in Mus musculus, two in Thaptomys nigrita, two in Oligoryzomys nigripes, and one in Euryoryzomys russatus. The registered species of parasites were: Rodentolepis akodontis, Angiostrongylus sp., Protospirura numidica criceticola, Trichuris navonae, Syphacia alata, Syphacia criceti, Syphacia evaginata, Trichofreitasia lenti, Stilestrongylus aculeata, Stilestrongylus eta, Stilestrongylus gracielae, Stilestrongylus franciscanus, Stilestrongylus moreli, Stilestrongylus sp., and Pentastomida gen. sp. A positive correlation between the intensity of infection of T. navonae and T. lenti was observed with the body condition index of the host A. montensis. For all species, this study represents a new register of locality, and for eight of them a new host.

scholarly journals Attenuated Leishmania major Induce a High Level of Protec-tion against Leishmania infantum in BALB/c Mice

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamsi NOORPISHEH GHADIMI ◽  
Leila HOMAYOON ◽  
Reza SHAHRIARIRAD ◽  
Shakila FATEHPOUR ◽  
Mohammad RASTEGARIAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Major Group ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Group 5 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
High Level

Background: The current study aimed to investigate the possible cross-protective effects of attenuated L. major against L. infantum in BALB/c mice. Methods: This experimental study was performed in 2017 in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. The attenuated strain of L. major was prepared by continuous weekly subculturing of the parasite. Forty-eight female BALB/c mice were divided into eight groups. Group 1 injected (ID) with wild type of L. major; group 2 injected (IV) with L. infantum; group 3 injected (ID) with attenuated L. major; group 4 injected (ID) with attenuated L. major, and after three weeks challenged (IV) with L. infantum; group 5 injected (IP) with attenuated L. major; group 6 injected (IP) with attenuated L. major, and challenged (IV) with L. infantum (IV); group 7 injected (IV) with attenuated L. major; and finally group 8 injected (IV) with attenuated L. major and after three weeks challenged (IV) with L. infantum. Forty-five days post-infection, the parasite load in the spleen and liver of the mice was determined as Leishman-Donovan units (LDU). Results: The differences in mean of LDU of spleen between different groups were statistically significant (P<0.048). In addition, the differences in percent of infection in liver between pairwise comparisons of groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). The highest intensity of infection was observed in group 2 while low intensity of infection was seen in groups 3, 4 and 5. Conclusion: Live attenuated L. major can induce substantial protection against L. infantum, particularly when the parasites were injected intravenously.

Maternal Parasite Load Increases Sprint Speed and Philopatry in Female Offspring of the Common Lizard

1994 ◽  
Vol 144 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Sorci ◽  
Manuel Massot ◽  
Jean Clobert
Keyword(s):  
Parasite Load ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
Sprint Speed ◽  
Common Lizard ◽  
The Common
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